Raid

I was lucky to watch this series, even though not until 2019, as it definitely has some good points to it. It has a pretty good plot and storyline with many subplots and quirky character interactions which provided subtle humor throughout. The action and special effects were sort of amaturish, and maybe done intentionally to match the style and era of the times, but if not, then looked sort of lame but still worked well enough nothing was ruined by it. It ran 12 eps which seemed a little long for the actual amount of content and could easily been cut down to 10 eps and maybe even 8 eps with nothing lost. At 12 eps it still maintained my attention but tested it. Most of the main characters did their jobs well but the whole series had sort of a 70's - 80's feel to it, but with cell phones, even though in 2000 cell phones were still fairly big and bulky and not everyone had one yet and this was evident. The characters were all very well developed and also coincidentally all intertwined and related throughout the main plot and all the subplots, go figure right. It's always amazing that the guy your looking for is an old partner or ex girl friends father is seeking same info or the ex pro criminal always seems to be one step ahead of the police in solving the crimes. The body count was massive, just enough sex and relationship trip, the usual police higher ups are idiots, corrupt, or in on it, and plenty of very quirky snitches, homeless, bums, and bad guys. This could almost be a dark comedy but is really a dramedy. I rated this an 8, good, because of so much to see and understand, but just barely.

This is a dark and confusing TV series from Finland. The pace drags and has the tendency to put you to sleep. The actors are morose characters and the plot is ultra confusing. Persist with it but can only be watched intermittently to avoid falling asleep.

When I started to watch this series I was skeptical. Finnish crime drama, how could that work. Well it did, big time. First of all, the characters are truly unique. Raid, Hopo, Sanna, truck driver, porn salesman, "perse-arska"... wow! And you gotta love the lieutenant Jansson's sarcastic one-liners. Brilliant! Also, the plot is interesting enough to keep you awake. It is also nice to see Hopo's and Sanna's relationship to evolve. The neighborhood's maradona was also a funny figure. There is no doubt that Raid is the best finnish crime drama ever. Particularly, because it contains enough finnish humour to keep us all at our seats. :-)

Kai Lehtinen is amazing in the part of Raid. Raid is a hitman with morals. Now he has come back to Finland after many years to investigate the strange circumstances surrounding the suicide of his former loved one. The series is packed with colorful characters who are played by the best of the best finnish actors. Writer/director Piirainen has adapted the series from Nykänen's novels. I have not read the books, but I've heard that the series is even better. So, for anyone who hasn't seen it yet... if you have a chance to catch this somewhere, I warmly recommend. It's available on DVD in Finland.

***** / *****

Raid (2000) is a gritty and uniquely Finnish crime drama that stands out thanks to its strong characters, dark humour, and subtle political themes. At the centre is Kai Lehtinen as Raid - a quiet, tough fixer with a sense of right and wrong. He returns to Helsinki to look into the mysterious death of a woman he once loved. While the basic plot sounds like a typical detective story, Raid adds Finnish style and cultural details that make it special.

What really sets Raid apart is its unusual and colourful supporting cast: the sarcastic Lieutenant Jansson, the sleazy but oddly likable porn dealer Sundman, and the wildly over-the-top "Arska the Arse." Each character feels real and flawed, part of a world where no one is truly innocent.

The show's look and feel are similar to 1970s noir films but with a Finnish twist. It's not flashy - the visuals are dark, the action rough, and the pacing sometimes slow - but it all feels honest. The series explores topics like corruption, power, and moral grey areas in a thoughtful way (although Finland is one of the least corrupted countries in the world). At 12 episodes, it might feel a bit too long, and the production quality can seem outdated. Still, the writing and acting keep it engaging. It's rare to find a series that mixes crime, dark comedy, and social commentary so well.

Raid is more than just a great Finnish TV show - it's a unique mix of crime story and character study, and a hidden gem worth watching. I gave it 8 out of 10, though I might have rated it higher if I'd seen it 25 years ago. Personally, as regards Finnish series, I tend to prefer Sorjonen now.